Labour MPs to face hearings over sleaze
LABOUR HAS stepped up its investigations into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against two MPs, it is understood.
Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis have been referred to the party’s constitutional committee for a full hearing into complaints made against them. The men were among a number of Labour and Tory MPs to be investigated after allegations of Westminster sleaze last year.
Commenting on Mr Lewis’s case yesterday, a Labour spokesman said: “After consideration of statements provided by the complainant and the respondent, the NEC’s (national executive committee) sexual harassment panel has agreed that on the balance of the evidence the matter should be referred to a full hearing of the national constitutional committee. The Labour Party will not be commenting further on this case until the conclusion of that hearing.”
Mr Lewis was suspended in November following a complaint about his conduct.
Earlier that month BuzzFeed News reported that a woman alleged the Bury South MP had touched her leg and invited her to his house when she was 19 at a Labour Party event in 2010.
A statement issued through his lawyers at the time said Mr Lewis had “never made non-consensual sexual comments or sexual advances to women”. He added: “However, I understand that a few women have claimed that my behaviour made them feel uncomfortable.”
Labour did not comment on Mr Hopkins’ case, but it is understood he has also been referred to the National Constitutional Committee.